US senior official warns: The US-Iran situation is extremely serious, the risk of further escalation cannot be ignored.

Mars Finance News reported that on July 8, Harlan Ullman, Chairman of the Kilowen Group and a retired U.S. Navy officer, described the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran as “very serious,” warning that they could escalate into a regional war. He said, “This is an extremely dangerous moment; anything could happen, including further escalation of the situation. The next few days are critical, and the situation is currently very grim. However, both sides have incentives to exercise restraint, because a large-scale regional war would be of no benefit to anyone.”

Ullman blamed Iran for the attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that these attacks reflect Tehran’s carefully planned strategic considerations. He noted that the timing of the attacks coincided with the multi-day mourning ceremonies held for Iran’s assassinated Supreme Leader, as well as the NATO summit in Turkey. Tehran may believe that Washington will be constrained in how it responds, because any military retaliation could affect funeral processions nationwide—an action that would be viewed internationally as a war crime. Ullman said, “In my view, this move by Iran is deliberate, and is intended to increase pressure on the United States in order to enhance its negotiating leverage.”

He added that the heightened tensions could push global oil prices higher, thereby “putting greater pressure on Trump.”